Closure

ABSTRACT

A closure for a liquid container includes a base portion with a top deck and a spout extending in an upper direction (z) away from the top deck and an outer skirt extending from an outer end of the top deck in a lower direction away from the top deck. A circumferential recess encircles the spout and includes a radially outer first side surface and a radially inner second side surface and first locking means. A top portion includes an annular base and a cover with an outer wall interconnected to the annular base by a hinge. The annular base includes a radially outer first side surface and radially inner second side surface and second locking means. Assembled, the annular base of the top portion is arranged in the circumferential recess of the base portion and the first and the second locking means interact locking the cover with respect to the base portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a closure, namely for containers. In particular the invention relates to a closure for containers for carbonated liquids such as soft drinks, but is well adapted to seal other containers such as glass or PET containers with con-tents at above or below atmospheric pressure or having gaseous components or re-quiring a hermetic seal.

Discussion of Related Art

Packages for liquids, such as beverages, are often closed by screw caps which can be removed before usage and allow the package to be sealed again after usage, such as pouring the liquid out of the liquid container. The crew cap seals the container if attached and further prevents a contamination of the liquid. The outlet is usually circular with respective larger diameter and permits a high flow rate. The outlet is primarily designed in order to pour the liquid and not to drink directly from the beverages. In certain application, such as beverages for sport drinks, however, the drinking directly from the beverage respective the liquid container is desired. Therefore, other geometries of closures are preferred. Such closures may include a part which the user can place directly inside the month and therefore needs to meet high standards with respect to cleanliness. Furthermore, a valve may ensure a lower flow rate for comfortable drinking. Often, the valve may further seal the liquid container. In the following examples are given for such closure designs.

WO17025692 was first published in February 2017 in the name of Bericap. It is directed to an articulated closure device for a container. The closure device comprises at least one lower hinge support, a cover and a hinge connecting the lower hinge support to the cover. The hinge comprises a middle element connected to the lower hinge support by a middle portion of the lower film of material and connected to the cover by a middle portion of the upper film of material. At a distance from the middle portion of the lower film of material, two triangular lower lateral elements are situated on either side of the reference plane and point towards the reference plane.

WO11154324 was first published in December 2011 in the name of the same applicant. It describes a closure comprising a ring shaped base laterally surrounding a cap which is functionally interconnected to the ring shaped base via a hinge arrangement. The ring shaped base is having an in general horizontal section on which a first end of the hinge arrangement is fixed protruding vertically above the horizontal section of the ring shaped base. A second end of the hinge arrangement is laterally fixed to an outer sidewall of the cap.

WO10112801 was first published in October 2010 in the name of Obrist Closures Switzerland. It describes a closure which comprises a base and a lid. The base comprises a spout portion. The lid comprises a cover portion and a ring portion securable around the spout portion. The cover portion of the lid is hingedly connected to the ring portion and is moveable between a closed position and an open position. The ring portion and the spout portion comprise locking means, operable to prevent separation of the ring portion from the spout portion.

EP1582475 was first published in July 2007 in the name of Sylvia Ferrari. It describes a plug which comprises a re-closable protective cap having a smaller diameter with respect to a base collar. The protective cap and the base collar are connected through a hinge element and a series of breakable elements. The plug comprises inside it a pouring element. The protective cap and the base collar are molded, in closed position, in a single piece that is separated by the pouring element.

US2015375908 was first published in August 2014 in the name of Obrist Closures Switzerland. It is directed to a closure comprising a base and a lid being joined by a hinge arrangement so that the lid is movable between a closed position and an open position. The hinge arrangement comprising a main hinge and a separate auxiliary hinge, wherein the lateral extent of the main hinge is greater than the lateral extent of the auxiliary hinge.

Difficulties of the existing two-piece closures, comprising a base and top, often occur during assembly of the top and the base. Either the top and the base do not fit well together and can therefore easily defeated or the top and the base are very difficult to assemble which again results in an increased chance that the closure is damaged during application.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art closures and provide on one hand a closure that can be easily and reliably produced by injection molding and assembled with a base body, but on the other hand is still highly secure and cannot be defeated under normal conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A closure according to the invention comprises a base portion with a top deck with a spout, which extends in the center of the top deck in an upper direction (first direc-tion) away from the top deck. An outer skirt extends in a lower direction (second di-rection), opposite to the upper direction, away from the top deck. The outer skirt comprises a fastening means, e.g. a thread to interconnect the closure to a neck of the container or other suitable means. Depending on the field of application other means can be foreseen to interconnect the closure to a neck of a container, e.g. in the form of means to snap on the closure.

The base portion comprises a circumferential recess which is in or on the top deck running around the base of the spout or adjacent to it, comprising a radially outer first side surface and a radially inner second side surface and first locking means. Good results can be achieved by locking means in the form of a bead, which protrudes radially outwards above the inner second side surface into the cross-section of the recess. The bead can be arranged in the region of a first shoulder of the base portion and forms an undercut in axial direction (direction of assembly of the base portion and the top portion). Good results can be achieved when the first shoulder is arranged at or near the toe of the spout.

The closure further comprises a top portion comprising an annular base and a cover. The cover comprises an outer wall and is interconnected to the annular base by a hinge, preferably a snap hinge. Good results can be achieved by a hinge which comprises two hinge plates each interconnected to the annular base and the cover by a film hinge. Normally such a hinge comprises four film hinges. Two film hinges of each hinge plate are preferably arranged in a V-shape with respect to each other. As the film hinges normally consist of a thinner section of material compared to the surrounding outer wall, they are preferably embossed from the outside into the contour of the outer wall, respectively the annular base.

The annular base of the top portion normally comprises a radially outer first side surface and radially inner second side surface. The annular base comprises second locking means. Good results can be achieved when the second locking means are incorporated as a bead, which protrudes radially inwards above the inner second side surface of the annular base. The bead forms an undercut in the axial direction and is foreseen to latch in the assembled position behind the bead of the base portion. The annular base of the top portion is in the assembled position arranged in the circumferential recess of the base portion. The locking means interact with each other locking the top portion with respect to the base portion preventing unwanted movement of the top portion with respect to the base portion. If appropriate the locking means can be arranged in an inverse manner with respect to the radial position. Depending on the field of application other means for locking the top portion with respect to the base portion can be foreseen alternatively or in addition to the locking means as described. E.g. it is possible to fix the top portion with respect to the bottom portion by welding.

The top portion preferably comprises at least one tamper evidence means e.g. in the form of one or several frangible bridges which, before initial opening, interconnect the annular base and the cover. The tamper evidence means are torn apart during initial opening indicating initial opening of the cover. If appropriate the tamper evidence means can be incorporated as tear off band which is interconnected to the top portion and the bottom portion and is removed before initial opening.

The annular base may comprise at least one castellation, e.g. in the form of a local protrusion, protruding radially outwards above the first side surface of the annular base. When viewing from atop in the axial direction, the castellation or part thereof in a ground view locally protrudes above the outer wall of the cover. This offers the advantage, that during assembly the castellation can be used to apply a force to push the annular base of the top portion into the corresponding recess of the base portion. Due to an offset arrangement of the castellation with respect to the locking means in radial direction, during assembly a certain torque can be generated supporting inter-latching of the first and the second locking means. Depending on the field of application, the castellation can have different purposes. Besides supporting the latching of the top portion with respect to the base portion during assembly, a further purpose of the castellation is to protect the tamper evidence means arranged between the annular base and the cover during handling of the top portion. A still further purpose can be seen in preventing defeat of the closure. The castellation can act as a measurement to prevent that the top portion can be separated from the base portion. The castellation can e.g. antagonize inserting an object between the circumferential recess and the annular base at least in critical zones.

The spout arranged at the base portion comprises a pouring opening which is used to pour out liquid. Good results can be achieved when the injection point, through which the material enters to form the closure during injection molding, is arranged in the center of the pouring opening. The cover comprises first sealing means, which interact in a closed position of the cover with the pouring opening, to seal said pouring opening. The first sealing means is preferably a bore seal, which in a closed position of the cover reaches to a certain extend into the pouring opening. Furthermore, the cover may comprise a second sealing means, which in the closed position of the cover interacts with the spout and surrounds the pouring opening from the outside. While the bore seal acts as a primary seal to prevent escape of liquid through the pouring opening, the second sealing means can e.g. be designed as a circumferential bead arranged on the inside of the cover. The second sealing means interacts in the closed position of the cover with the spout in the area of an outer edge face, preferably arranged at the upper end of the spout. The circumferential bead again can have different purposes. Beside a function as a seal, the circumferential bead can alternatively or in addition act as a support between the cover and the spout in the case of a side load. Thereby the risk of leakage of the bore seal can be reduced significantly. If appropriate, the circumferential bead can be segmented when not acting as a primary seal but more as a support.

For increased cleanliness, the cover may comprise an inner skirt arranged inside the cover. The inner skirt is preferably arranged spaced apart from the outer wall. In a preferred variation the inner skirt is arranged concentric to the first and if present the second seal. The inner skirt may comprise a third sealing means. The third sealing means can interact in the closed position of the cover with a second shoulder which arranged between the first shoulder and the outer edge face at the top of the spout. Good results can be achieved when the second shoulder is arranged closer to the first shoulder than to the outer edge face. In a preferred variation the second shoulder is in the vertical direction arranged on the height of the film hinges or between them in the area of the hinge plate.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the disclosure. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the concepts disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which should not be considered limiting to the invention described in the appended claims. The drawings are showing:

FIG. 1 shows a closure in a perspective view from above and behind;

FIG. 2 shows the closure according to FIG. 1 in a perspective view from above and front;

FIG. 3 shows the closure according to FIG. 1 in a side view;

FIG. 4 shows the closure according to FIG. 1 in a rear view;

FIG. 5 shows the closure according to FIG. 1 in a front view;

FIG. 6 shows a section view of the closure along section line DD of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows the closure according to FIG. 1 in a section view and in a disassembled manner;

FIG. 8 shows the closure according to FIG. 1 in a section view;

FIG. 9 shows the closure according to FIG. 1 in a perspective view in an opened position from the front; and

FIG. 10 shows the closure according to FIG. 9 in a rear view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.

FIG. 1 shows a closure 1 according to the invention in a perspective view from above and behind. FIG. 2 shows the closure 1 in a perspective view from above and the front. FIG. 3 shows the closure 1 in a side view, FIG. 4 in a rear view, and FIG. 5 in a front view. FIG. 6 shows the closure 1 in a section view sectioned along section line DD of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 shows the closure 1 in a perspective view from above in a disassembled manner as will be explained in more detail hereinafter. FIG. 8 is showing the closure according to FIG. 7 in an assembled manner. FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are showing the closure 1 in an opened position.

In the shown variation, the closure 1 comprises a base portion 2 with a top deck 3 with a spout 4 which extends in the center of the top deck 3 in an upper direction z away from the top deck 3. An outer skirt 5 extends from an outer end 6 of the top deck 3 in an opposite lower direction away from the top deck 3. The outer skirt 5 comprises a fastening means 7. In the shown variation in the form of a thread 7 to interconnect the closure 1 to a neck of the container (not shown in detail). Depending on the field of application other means can be foreseen to interconnect the closure 1 to a neck of a container, e.g. in the form of means to snap on the closure. As e.g. visible in FIG. 6, a circumferential recess 8 is running around the spout 4 comprising a radially outer first side surface 9 and a radially inner second side surface 10 and first locking means 11, here in the form of a bead 11 which protrudes radially outwardly above the inner second side surface 10 into the cross-section of the recess. The bead 11 is arranged in the region of a first shoulder 28 of the base portion 2 and forms an undercut in axial direction (here z-direction, direction of assembly of the closure as shown in FIG. 7). In the shown variation the first shoulder 28 is arranged at the toe of the spout 4.

The closure 1 further comprises a top portion 12 comprising an annular base 13 and a cover 14. The cover 14 comprises an outer wall 23 and is interconnected to the annular base 13 by a hinge 15. Good results can be achieved by the hinge 15 which comprises two hinge plates 30 each interconnected to the annular base 13 and the cover 14 by a film hinge 31. The two film hinges 31 of each hinge plate 30 are arranged in a V-shape and preferably embossed from the outside into the contour of the outer wall 23, respectively the annular base 13. The annular base 13 comprises a radially outer first side surface 16 and radially inner second side surface 17. The annular base 13 comprises second locking means 18, here in the form of a bead 18, which protrudes radially inwards above the inner second side surface 17 of the annular base 13. The bead 18 forms an undercut in axial direction (z-direction) and is foreseen to latch in the mounted position (as shown) behind the bead 11 of the base portion 2. As can be seen among others in FIG. 6, the annular base 13 of the top portion 12 is in the assembled position arranged in the circumferential recess 8 of the base portion 2 and the first and the second locking means 11, 18 interact with each other locking the cover 14 with respect to the base portion 2. The top portion comprises a tamper evidence means in the form of several frangible bridges 27 which before initial opening interconnect the annular base 13 and the cover 14. The frangible bridges 27 are torn apart during initial opening indicating initial opening of the cover 14.

In the shown variation, the annular base 13 comprises at least one castellation 19 protruding radially outwards above the first side surface 16 of the annular base 13. The castellation 19 can have different purposes. One purpose is to ease the application of the cover 14 to the base portion 2, i.e. to insert the annular base 13 into the circumferential recess 8 and to engage the first with the second locking means 11, 18 such that the top portion 12 is securely fastened with respect to the base portion 2. A further purpose of the castellation 19 is to protect the bridges 27 arranged between the annular base 13 and the cover 14 during handling of the top portion 14. A further purpose can be seen in preventing defeat of the closure 1, i.e. as a measurement that the top portion 12 can be separated from the base portion 2 in an undue manner. The castellation 19 can e.g. antagonized inserting an object between the circumferential recess 8 and the annular base 13. In the shown variation at least one castellation 19 is protruding radially outwards above the outer wall 23 of the cover 14. In a front area of the closure 1, opposite to the hinge 15, between two segments of the castellation 19, a bridge 27 is arranged interconnecting the annular base 13 and the cover 14.

As visible in FIG. 6 the spout 4 comprises a pouring opening 20 and the cover 14 comprises a first sealing means 21 which interacts in a closed position of the cover 14 with the pouring opening 20 to seal the pouring opening 20. In the shown variation the first sealing means 21 is a bore seal 21 which in the closed position of the cover 14 extends into the pouring opening 20. Furthermore, the cover 14 comprises a second sealing means 22 which in the closed position of the cover 14 interacts with the spout 4 and surrounds the pouring opening 20 from the outside. The bore seal 21 acts as the primary seal to prevent escape of liquid through the pouring opening 20. The second sealing means 22 is designed as a circumferential bead 22 arranged on the inside of the cover 14 which in the closed position of the cover 14 interacts with the spout 4 in the area of an outer edge face 32 arranged at the upper end of the spout 4. The circumferential bead 22 can have different purposes. Beside a sealing function the circumferential bead 22 can act alternatively or in addition as a support between the cover 14 and the spout 4 in the case of a side load. Thereby the risk of leakage of the bore seal 21 (primary seal) can be reduced. If appropriate the circumferential bead 22 can be segmented.

To obtain very good results with respect to cleanliness, the cover 14 comprises an inner skirt 24 arranged inside the cover 14. The inner skirt 24 is arranged spaced apart from the outer wall 23. In the shown variation the inner skirt 24 is arranged concentric to the first and the second seal 21, 22 and is shaped cylindrical. The inner skirt 24 comprises along a free end 25 a third sealing means 26. The third sealing means 26 interacts in the closed position of the cover 14 with a second shoulder 29 of the base portion 2. The second shoulder 29 is arranged between the first shoulder 28 and the outer edge face 32. Good results can be achieved when the second shoulder 29 is arranged closer to the first shoulder 28 than to the outer edge face 32. In a preferred variation the second shoulder 29 is arranged in the vertical direction (z-direction) on the height of the film hinges 31 or between them in the area of the hinge plate 30.

Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A closure (1) for a liquid container comprising a. a base portion (2) including i. a top deck (3) with a spout (4) extending in an upper direction (z) away from the top deck (3) and ii. an outer skirt (5) extending from an outer end (6) of the top deck (3) in a lower direction away from the top deck (3), the outer skirt (5) comprising a fastening means (7) to interconnect the closure (1) to a neck of the container; iii. a circumferential recess (8) running around the spout (4) comprising a radially outer first side surface (9) and a radially inner second side surface (10) and first locking means (11); b. a top portion (12) including an annular base (13) and a cover (14) with an outer wall (23) interconnected to the annular base (13) by a hinge (15), wherein c. the annular base (13) comprises a radially outer first side surface (16) and radially inner second side surface (17) and second locking means (18), wherein d. in an assembled position the annular base (13) of the top portion (12) is arranged in the circumferential recess (8) of the base portion (2) and the first and the second locking means (11, 18) interact with each other locking the cover (14) with respect to the base portion (2).
 2. The closure (1) according to claim 1, wherein the annular base (13) comprises at least one castellation (19) protruding radially outwards above the first side surface (16) of the annular base (13).
 3. The closure (1) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one castellation (19) is protruding radially outwards above the outer wall (23) of the cover (14).
 4. The closure (1) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one castellation (19) is segmented in a circumferential direction of the annular base (13), wherein between at least two segments of the castellation (19) a bridge (27) is arranged interconnecting the annular base (19) and the cover (14).
 5. The closure (1) according to claim 1, wherein the spout (4) comprises a pouring opening (20) and the cover (14) comprises a first sealing means (21) which interacts in a closed position of the cover (14) with the pouring opening (20) to seal the pouring opening (20).
 6. The closure (1) according to claim 5, wherein the first sealing means (21) is a bore seal extending in the closed position of the cover (14) into the pouring opening (20) and wherein the cover (14) comprises a second sealing means (22) which in the closed position of the cover (14) interacts with the spout (4) and surrounds the pouring opening (20) from the outside.
 7. The closure (1) according to claim 1, wherein the base portion (2) comprises a first shoulder (28) and the first locking means (11) is arranged adjacent to the first shoulder (28).
 8. The closure (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cover (14) comprises an inner skirt (24) arranged inside of and spaced apart from the outer wall (23).
 9. The closure (1) according to claim 8, wherein the inner skirt (24) comprises along a lower free end (25) a third sealing means (26) which in a closed position of the cover (14) interacts with the spout (4) in the area near the top deck (3).
 10. The closure (1) according to claim 9, wherein the base portion (2) comprises a second shoulder (29) which in the closed position interacts with the third sealing means (26) of the inner skirt (24).
 11. The closure (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second side surface (10) of the circumferential recess (8) comprises at least one drainage hole (33). 